Torquay United 2 Gloucester City 1 RECAP as table-topping Torquay survive a late City rally to equal club record

Goal Celebrations for Jean-Yves Koue Niate of Torquay United, during the Vanarama National League South match between Torquay United and Gloucester City at Plainmoor Torquay, Devon on Saturday 29th December - PHOTO: Sean Hernon/PPAUK

Torquay United equalled a club record of eight successive league wins against a Gloucester side who finished strongly and threatened to ruin the Gulls' party with a late rally.

An own goal by Gloucester full back Joe Hanks gave Torquay an early lead against the Tigers at Plainmoor. United started brightly, and Hanks turned the ball into his own net trying to stop a Jamie Reid cross reaching Saikou Janneh in front of goal.

Jean Yves Koue Niate made it 2-0 with a deft flick from close range after a Jake Andrews corner caused confusion in the City defence.

The Boxing Day win over Truro was Torquay's seventh victory on the trot, and the win today matched a 20-year-old record. Torquay keeper Shaun MacDonald barely had a save to make in the first half, although he did have to flick a curling cross by Issac Pearce on to the bar.

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Sub Odin Bailey pulled a goal back for City three minutes from time and the visitors went in search of an equaliser as the game went into stoppage time, Matt Liddiard forcing a good save from McDonald. Both teams had goals disallowed in three minutes of stoppage time.

Attendance

That was quite a finish, but Torquay hung on to equal that club record and stay top of the league!

16:53KEY EVENT

FINAL SCORE: Torquay United 2 Gloucester City 1

16:52

Now City have the ball in the net but the ref rules it out for a foul on MacDonald. It looked as if Sam Avery collided with the Torquay keeper

16:51

It’s another corner for City as the game suddenly comes to life

16:51

Koszela scores for Torquay but the linesman has the fag up for offside

16:50

Janneh twists and turns and finds Kalala who has a great chance but misses wildly

16:49

Four added minutes

16:49

Corner from the right for City, volleyed goalwards by Matt Liddiard and saved by MacDonald. Suddenly City can sense the chance of a point

16:46KEY EVENT

GOAL: Torquay United 2 Gloucester City 1

Odin Bailey punishes some hesitant defending by Torquay with a drilled low shot from the edge of the box that goes beyond MacDonald

16:45

MOTM is Jake Andrews

16:44

Torquay sub

George Essuman replaces Jamie Sendles-White

16:43

Good run and shot by Jake Mawford for City, cutting in from the left. MacDonald makes a meal of it and it’s a corner. Torquay scramble it away to the other end where Janneh just fails to find Koszela in the box

16:42

Plenty of possession for City, but Torquay soak it up

16:38

Andrews whips in a free kick which skims Cameron’s head before being headed behind for a Torquay corner which City clear

16:37

Deep cross from the left by Davis, headed goalwards by young Olaf, saved by Wollacott

16:36

Wonder if Wynter took a knock, which would explain moving him out of the back four and eventually taking him off

16:35

Torquay sub

Olaf Koszela comes on in place of Wynter, who has had a good game

16:34

Liddiard crosses from the left for City, it comes off Wynter and loops up into the air where it goes off the top of the bar for a corner

16:33

There are 15 minutes of normal time to go

16:33

Torquay have made a formation change, with Sendles-White dropping to right back and Wynter going to the right side of midfield

16:32

Torquay booking

Liam Davis is in the book for a foul

16:31

Reid charges away down the right and pulls the ball back for Janneh on the edge of the box, but he’s stretching and the shot goes way over the bar

16:30

Gloucester booking

Adam Robbins is booked for a late challenge on Ben Wynter

16:28

Gloucester sub

That’s the last change for the visitors. Chris Todd is bringing on Odin Bailey for Joey Parker.

16:27

Gloucester are having a decent spell at the moment, making Torquay chase them in midfield

16:26

City’s Josh Thomas is down and needs some attention from the visitors’ physio. He’s up and about again

16:22

Asa Hall meets it with a header on the penalty spot but it’s straight at Wollacott

16:22

More good approach play by Torquay. Jake Andrews shoots on target and it is deflected behind for a corner

16:21

City double substitution

Pearce is down for City and looks hurt. Jake Jackson and Harry Williams and on for Andre Wright and Issac Pearce, who has had a really good game. Sorry to see him go off